Wind turbine industry lacks safety research: study

Bilbao, Spain – Lack of safety data and information is one of the largest challenges facing the wind turbine industry, according to a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

The 77-page report notes some of the more common hazards faced by wind turbine workers:

Exposure to weather conditions

Falls

Confined spaces

Electrical

Awkward postures

Since 1970, according to the report, 114 people have died worldwide in turbine incidents, 87 of whom were workers; the rest were members of the public. Many workers in the wind energy sector are inexperienced in the field and an industry standard regarding wind energy training does not exist, which in turn impacts safety.

The report stated that reasons for the lack of safety information include a relatively young fleet of existing wind turbines, as well as the tendency of businesses to keep operational data confidential.